Elanora is the quiet, family-friendly corner at the southern end of the Gold Coast, and Isle of Palms sits at the heart of it on Pine Lake. Within about twenty minutes you have patrolled beaches, a wildlife sanctuary, rainforest swimming holes and easy family dining. Here is what to do in Elanora, Queensland, with distances, hours and tips.
What are the best beaches near Elanora?
Elanora is about 3 kilometres, or five minutes’ drive, from two of the coast’s most relaxed beaches. Palm Beach is a long, patrolled stretch backed by a free oceanway path for walking and riding, while Currumbin Beach wraps around to Elephant Rock and the sheltered pocket of Currumbin Alley, where the creek meets the sea for a calm paddle with little ones. A little further north, Tallebudgera Creek is the safest family swim on the coast, clear and shallow with a gentle current. All three are patrolled through the day and free, so pack a towel and pick your mood.
Where should families eat near Palm Beach?
Dining down here is casual and easy. The Collective Palm Beach sits in the old Palm Beach post office and gathers five kitchens under one roof, from Italian to Mexican to Asian, so nobody has to agree on one cuisine, with a rooftop terrace bar upstairs. For a beachfront meal, the Palm Beach Surf Club has an absolute-beachfront deck and a menu of fresh seafood, char-grilled steaks and cafe fare in a relaxed, family-friendly room. Both are a few minutes from the resort. With a full kitchen back in your townhouse, you can also cook in as easily as you eat out, which suits longer family stays.
What can families do with kids in Elanora?
Two spots are the local favourites. Palm Beach Parklands at the south end of Palm Beach has the famous pirate-ship playground beside Currumbin Creek, with free barbecues, wide paths for bikes and easy beach access. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, about seven minutes south, is a full-day outing with koalas, kangaroos, the rainbow lorikeet feedings and free-flight bird shows, open 9am to 4pm daily except Christmas Day and Anzac Day. For toddlers, the fully fenced playground at Elizabeth Sloper Gardens in Elanora lets little ones run safely while you sit with a coffee. All suit prams and all are close.
What natural attractions are near Elanora?
Elanora is ringed by green. The Currumbin Rock Pools are a freshwater swimming hole up the Currumbin Valley, with clear cool water, smooth granite to laze on and free barbecues, though parking is limited so arrive before mid-morning. Further up the valley the road climbs towards Cougal Cascades and the rainforest of the hinterland, all worth a slow drive. To the north, Burleigh Head National Park has a scenic coastal walk around the headland, an easy circuit of a couple of kilometres, with a good chance of spotting whales offshore from June to about October and one of the coast’s famous point breaks on its northern side. Guests often tell us they did not expect this much greenery so close to the sand, and the mix of rainforest, headland and beach in one short drive is part of what gives Elanora its relaxed, southern-end feel. It is easy nature, close to home.
What is there to do at Isle of Palms itself?
Plenty of the holiday happens without leaving the gate. The resort sits on Pine Lake, so you can fish, kayak or paddleboard straight off the back deck of the waterfront townhouses, and there are two swimming pools, two heated spas, two full-size tennis courts, a games room and undercover barbecue areas. It suits families and groups who want space to spread out over two levels with a full kitchen. Take a look at our resort facilities to see what is on site. The lake at dawn, with the mist lifting and the birdlife up, is one of the quiet pleasures of a stay here.
FAQs: what to do in Elanora, Queensland
What is there to do in Elanora with kids?
Plenty within a short drive. Families base themselves at Isle of Palms for the pools and lake, then head out to Palm Beach Parklands with its pirate-ship playground, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, the calm swim at Tallebudgera Creek, and the fenced playground at Elizabeth Sloper Gardens. Most are free, and none are more than about twenty minutes away.
How far is Elanora from the Gold Coast beaches?
About 3 kilometres, or a 5-minute drive, from both Palm Beach and Currumbin Beach. Both are patrolled by Gold Coast lifeguards and backed by cafes, surf clubs and free parkland. Tallebudgera Creek, the calm-water family favourite, sits a little further north at around 8 minutes. From Isle of Palms you can be on the sand before the coffee goes cold.
Is Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary worth visiting?
Yes, it is one of the Gold Coast’s most-loved attractions and an easy full day from Elanora. Open 9am to 4pm daily except Christmas Day and Anzac Day, it has koalas, kangaroos, the famous rainbow lorikeet feedings and free-flight bird shows. It sits about seven minutes south, opposite Honeyworld, with plenty of parking on site.
How far is Elanora from Gold Coast Airport?
Less than 15 minutes by car. Elanora sits at the southern end of the Gold Coast, so the airport at Coolangatta is an easy, short transfer, which makes Isle of Palms a handy first or last stop on a trip. The Pines Shopping Centre is right outside the resort too, so you can stock up the moment you arrive.
Elanora rewards a family that likes an easy pace: a beach in the morning, a wildlife day or a creek swim in the afternoon, and a barbecue by the lake at night. When you are ready to make it your base, explore our Elanora and Palm Beach location guide and check availability and book direct.
Image credit: Isle of Palms
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